FRIDAY: Was awakened VERY early to get transport down to the beach with a woman that I had never met. I was under the impression that Paul was going to pick up a participating author at the Wilmington Amtrak station, but the author became ill and had to cancel. That eliminated the need for Paul to come up, so arrangements were hastily made for me to rendezvous with another conferee, Barbara picked me up on time and we headed out in the pouring rain to the beach.
We had a lovely conversation, mainly about marketing, design and culture. We found ourselves in agreement on most things, and the time passed pretty quickly. Before I knew it, we were pulling up to the Sands Hotel. Not a minute too soon, because I had a liter of water in me and not much breakfast to slow its progress. After checking in, I bolted for my room.
Since the cocktail party was not for a few hours, I settled in for a much-needed snack and a nap. I set up my laptop so that I could stay connected (to whom?) and I am so glad that I did. An old flame, Marcin from Poland IMmed me from MSN Messenger. It turns out that he is headed back to Poland for three weeks to visit family. We chatted a bit about the celebrities that he has met at the hotel where he works and their bad behavior. He mentioned that he was finding new interest in photography and I promised to review his work once he got back to the States and perhaps even create an online gallery for him to display his talent. When he and I were dating, I remember that he had many shots of NYC on his walls, and I commented on his eye. I think he was more interested in drinking and screwing than aesthetic critique.
A looooong nap with a TV blaring (don't get no better) and I woke about 4:30 ready to go. I called David, the bartender at La La Land to see if he wanted to get together for drinks after the cocktail party. He was already loaded when I called, so no David that night.
The cocktail party went well, although it was rainy and freezing outside
and the good people at Browseabout Books cranked the heat for the few patrons they had that day, but forgot to turn it down when the place started to fill. Me, being the sweat factory that I am, immediately stared schvitzing all over the place, especially after I had my first (or was it third) plastic cup of cheap Aussie wine. I was digging into some BBQ chicken when Maribeth's father found me and told me that I needed to get to the "stage" pronto because she was going to introduce me. I licked my fingers clean and headed up.The introduction was sincere and touching. I was asked if I wanted to say a few words, and I mumbled something about being glad to help them add to our culture. The entire time, I am thinking, not only am I the only black person in the building (probably in town that weekend),
but I am sweating like I am on trial. Probably not a great image to portray. My 15 minutes were up, and I tried to retreat to a cooler part of the store, but one of the authors on the "dais" gestured to me to sit next to her. So here I was, sweating like a linebacker, trying to listen to a reading. I felt so inelegant. 
Once the event started to break up and everyone began their separate treks to dinner, several people thanked me personally for the work that I did. I took their compliments modestly and smiled. A gentleman named Bob who is connected with some non-profits in the area gave me his card. Non-profits NEVER have any money, but they do have connections, and I have a client roster to build and therefore need connections. Those that received one of my business cards were impressed by their design and I hope that translates intp hits on the site.
Off to the Cultured Pearl to see the gang. Everyone was there. Susie, Rob, Nick, Johnny, Fluffy, Sharon, Roma, and Oba were all on hand to chat and entertain. I began my slide into drunkenness with the Otokoyoma and Kirin Light that I nursed at the bar. I talked to Susie about the new restaurant, and talked to her about branding the hell out of the place once the demo is created. So far, they have put more than $1 million into the new place. I look forward to getting in there and doing some really cool stuff.
After Sean Sean got off work, he and I headed to Shannon's for wine and conversation. Of course it turned into a discussion of race relations, and boy can THAT ever get boring. I played along until I was tired of talking about it. Sean and I went to The Rehoboth Diner for breakfast and general mayhem. Somehow I got them to give me a deck of cards and a slice of cake for free. He and I drank bourbon and beer into dawn. I truly did not want that day to ever end.
SATURDAY:
I spent the day in bed, moaning. Watched SNL and passed out to an X Play marathon on G4 TV.
SUNDAY:
Packed and headed home with a friend of Irene's, Todd. It turns out that he teaches as well, so we had something to talk about other than sex (you know how us queers are). A quick trip home and I was in my living room laying on the couch. Caught up with the Sunday shows and chilled for most of the day. Took a nap and then put the new Brandywine Technology site together. Was ready to send that to the testing server about 3 this morning.
TODAY:
BOAmerica day; a new project is coming up that will take up most of my time. Josh wants me to work another day in the office, so now I will be in on Wednesdays as well. Fine by me, because now I am pushing my hours to 40/week. That is an extra $500/month gross, which is hey, great. Mostly work to do for Bob tonight, coming up with a site map for this web project that he has working with the Delaware Sports League. If there is anything to add later I will do so.
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